Closed Thread [Closed] In the Heat of the Night (RC PGCM - Long Sun 2020)

rise from the smoldering pyre of wormwood and weeds
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Nettlepaw had helped himself to some freshkill, pleased that he finally had gotten a moment to himself. His days of being a medicine cats apprentice were bloated and full of learning, mote memorizating yes, but also of smells and sights, and drilling everything until it was second nature. He still smelled of leaf green herbs, freshly picked even if slightly wilted from the heat. They'd still do dried.

Licking his maw from his meal of water vole, the tom glanced up from his paws to spot the immensely large shape move around camp before leaping onto his usual spot. Nettlepaw and Willowfrost had been studying moons of late, and there was no doubt that its fullness heralded a trip to Fourtrees. The only question would be if he would join his mentor at the Gathering or remain in camp in the off chance that his presence were needed.

Pressure like a drip, drip, drip that'll never stop, whoa. Pressure that'll tip, tip tip 'till you just go pop, whoa.
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Cottonbright stirred from her nest in the warrior's den at Boldstar's call, quite bushed from sunhigh patrol and a midday hunt. If she was frustrated by the Leaf Green heat she could only imagine what Boldstar might be feeling! Nevertheless, she stretched her pearly pink paws and arched her back. Her white shape would be seen right outside the warrior's den, bright green eyes blinking up at her former mentor and leader. 

What I dream, the day might send. Just around the riverbend.

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With the patience of a sinatly starclanner, Otterwhisker led her kittens to the entrance of the nursury. She watched them carefully, nosing each one as they half wobbled and peered out onto camp. With a purr she watched them fondly, unable to believe it had been over twenty two days since she had given birth. At three weeks they were toddling, walking steadily without falling too much, but she was careful not to tire them and while they needed less frequent feedings, she was still more or less confined to the nurury with them unless she found a suitable kitsitter.

Her gaze had drifted to the sire of her kits, Boldstar, as he heard the thunder of his voice and smiled, before immediately being dragged back to a wayward kit as Merrykit teetered out of the warren and took a few uneasy steps into the outside world. Her maw scooped up the ball of fluff before she got too far, to Merrykit's rare displeasure.

Garden's gem, in sunlight's blaze
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  The outside world wasn't so out of reach now that she nearly had walking down. A wibble left, and a stutter right and her tail flicked out straight, righting herself in the process. Her mewl was a purr as they approached the light of the warrens entrance, before peering out until she saw a sea of fur. Most impressive, she thought, was the cat really high up! Merrykit bounced out of the warren, trying to be suave all all but failing miserably just before she got scooped up by her mother and let out a squeal of disapproval. She wanted to be up high too!

There is peace even in the storm...

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Stormkit tottered out of the tunnel alongside her mother and siblings. She rumbled unhappily when the brown-furred nose belonging to the cat who smelled of milk and comfort prodded at her. Her mother and her siblings were amongst the only things that were true constants in Stormkit's life, but that didn't mean she wasn't constantly curious about what happened beyond the old rabbit warren the nursery was secreted in.

She caught a flash of gray and her attention was taken by the big gray cat that had jumped up high. Her attention was quickly usurped, however, by the cream form of Mintpaw as he slip past towards his brother already stood. Stormkit went shock still for a moment, before turning to follow the apprentice with a determination in her gait. She struggled to keep up, taking valiant (if distant) swipes at Mintpaw's tail.

I can fly like an eagle
And strike like a hawk
Do you think you can survive?

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Hailkit was beside Merrykit as the kittens stumbled and toddled out into the large world. Bright lights, brighter than the gentle lighting of the nursery, made the kit squint a bit to readjust. When she did, her little gray-blue kitten eyes widened with shock. Woah! The world!

Everything was so bright, so beautiful, and oh so very loud. It made her previously soft and curled up kitten ears perk and twitch and turn all which way, trying to catch each scrap that flew her way. It was overwhelming, yet exciting for the kit. 

She made a mewl of excitement, attempting to waddle her way out, but stumbled a bit and found herself thumping into her mother's paw. She pushed on her mother's loving, softly-scented fur in her attempt, then looked up with curiosity as she realized a scent had changed.

Around her, the smell of her sister, Merrykit, reached her nose, but as she followed it, she found herself looking higher, and higher, until her eyes were straight up and her head was bent back in a way that made her undersized, growing body look like it would topple over. Only by some miracle from Starclan she stayed upright.

Out with the old - In with the bold

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Boldstar was thankful that the night was cooler given the long walk the group he picked would have. Fourtrees was a long way from RiverClan’s Camp. He always knew who he wanted, but his eyes skimmed the gathering members of his clan. Overlooking anyone who deserved a chance to go would never sit right or Boldstar. 

Feeling confident in his choices, he began: “Myself, our Deputy, and Medicine Cat will be accompanied by Thornstrike, Cottonbright, Alderfly, and Nettlepaw.“ After a few moments for the words to sink in for the chosen few Boldstar jumped down from his perch above the rest. ”We set out now!”

With confident strides he led the way from the camp.

Pressure like a drip, drip, drip that'll never stop, whoa. Pressure that'll tip, tip tip 'till you just go pop, whoa.
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 With a bit of hopeful apprehension, the white furred she-cat stared up at Boldstar with big, lime eyes. A part of her wished she would be able to go to the Gathering, and another part hoped that she'd be able to go with her apprentice. Somehow there could be a lesson there, social interaction was important at Gatherings, even if she didn't think she was very skillful at it. Still, it'd make point to try and present yourself proudly and properly, but Cottonbright nearly shuffled forward at the sound of her name. Oh - and Alderfly!

Even if she couldn't arrive alongside Mintpaw, she knew Alderfly would be a perfect confidence boost. Comforted by this, she padded up towards his smaller black and white frame, aiming to affectionately bump her shoulder against him as she passed, a timid purr escaping her maw as she quietly voiced. "C-come on then, Alderfluff! Let's try and keep up."

rise from the smoldering pyre of wormwood and weeds
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Head half tipped back in a yawning display of whiskers and fangs, Nettlepaw inclined his head. He wasn't much of a thrill seeker when it came to a Gathering, he'd prefer peace to bloodshed any day, but he doubted he could do much for interacting with the clans.

Perhaps he'd see if Willowfrost had any input on the matter...

Needless to say, passing his brother on his way out of camp, he threw him a shallow smile. "Doubt anything exciting will happen... but you'll be the first to know when I get back." The beginnings of a plumed tail lifted above his haunches, he followed Boldstar out of camp, towards Fourtrees.